After a difficult uphill section in the final kilometre shredded the pack, the 26-year-old blasted out of the field with 350 metres to go for his first ever Grand Tour win.

Spain's Vicente Reynes shadowed Sutton's late burst but faded to take second, while first-year German sprinter Marcel Kittel, the winner of 12 races this season, continued to punch above his weight to come third in his first Grand Tour.

Italian fastman Daniele Bennati moved into the overall lead after his sixth-place finish enabled the Leopard Trek rider to move ahead of Danish team mate Jakob Fuglsang.

Less than 24 hours after Team Sky finished third last in the opening team time trial, the British outfit showed it had not lost its morale.

"I wouldn't say Saturday was disappointing, to finish so far back was a little bit of a setback and today we showed we'd kept the team spirit high," Sutton told reporters.

"I knew it was a hard uphill finish, every sprinter would probably try to accelerate too early.

"So I was waiting and waiting and then when someone from [Omega-Pharma] Lotto attacked, I got on his wheel.

"I looked behind and from 200 metres to go I knew I had it."

Great day
On a great day's racing for Sky on Sunday, Sutton's team mate Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway won the Vattenfalls Cyclassic, Germany's biggest one-day race.

Bennati dedicated his leader's jersey to the memory of Belgian Wouter Weylandt, who died in a high-speed downhill crash in the Tour of Italy in May.

"I spent a lot of time with Wouter in the Tours of Qatar and Oman this year, and in Italy he was going to be my leadout man in the sprints," Bennati told reporters.

"I'm pleased I can dedicate this win to him."

Bennati confirmed that his strong racing on a difficult uphill sprint should strengthen his status as team leader for Italy in next month's world championships.

Sutton's victory came close to the town of Orihuela, where in last year's race Sky's team assistant Txema Gonzalez died of a bacterial infection. Sky then pulled out of the race the following morning.

The Tour of Spain finishes on Sept. 11 in Madrid.

Over the past week I have been living the high life with my team in the Czech Republic...Not. I hope you've made yourself a cup of tea or at least a strong alcoholic beverage as this is going to be a long one... And it ain't going to be pretty.

The Tour de Feminin in Krasna Lipa, a UCI 2.2, was my first race in the For Viored Brookvex colours, and a harsh reminder that I, along with most women, don't do this sport because of the glitz and glamour.

The team :)

For me the trip started off with a 13hr drive from Belgium to Krasna Lipa with a well welcomed pitt stop at close to 2am in a local hotel in Germany where the team and staff were able to get some decent shut eye and freshen up. Departing again just after 9am, we arrived in Czech with enough time to get to our accommodation and have a quick spin on the bikes before tea. Pulling up to the accommodation we were greeted by a 7 story run down school building. This should've served as the first warning sign for all of us to take extra precautions in relation to hygiene over the next few days...

We were staying on level 5 and the lift was so rickety and old that it could only hold 3 people at a time. We stretched the limit and would sneak 4/5 girls in but the next morning we heard that a team had loaded themselves into the lift and it had gotten stuck between floors - from then on it was strictly 3 people to the lift for us, or 2 if we felt that we had eaten too much.

At 4 to a room, the dorms were actually quite big and the girls and I had thought we'd scored the good room until 11pm on the first night when we could hear a guy snoring...from the next room. This was a trend for the next 4 nights and we would rush to get to bed before our neighbor did, because if we didn't, we were in for a long sleepless night.

Our room...excuse the mess :s

The bathrooms were communal - toilets and showers for use by both men and women. The toilets weren't too bad as they at least had doors but I had forgotten how confident most Europeans are with their bodies until I noticed that only 2 out of the 8 showers had shower curtains. It also wasn't uncommon for you to go into the bathrooms and have a naked person, male or female, happily standing there whilst you brushed your teeth or filled up your race bottles. I'm all for feeling confident about your body but somethings are better left to the imagination... Please. I was going to try get a photo of the bathrooms but couldnt do it without feeling like a dirty perv. And nice try euros but p.s, a face washer does not classify as a towel.

Before i knew it was race day and sitting on the start line after all the debacle in actually getting my butt over to Europe, i was excited about finally starting my first UCI tour. The gun went off and for the first 20 odd k I haven't braked so much in my life. 161 nervous girls meant that positioning yourself at the front was mandatory - if you wanted to live. It took me a while to get settled in the bunch but once I did, I really started enjoying myself and remembered just why I love racing! I managed to stay with the first bunch until the final climb 3k from the finish when i dagged off the back. I rolled in just over 1min behind and in 54th place. I was quietly stoked about my performance given the circumstances and lack of racing and was looking forward to riding into the rest of the tour! What was most exciting was seeing the other Australian teams and super legend Amanda Spratt take out the win with former track sprinter Nettie Edmondson in 2nd!!! It's always nice seeing other Aussies on the otherwise of the World, and doing so well!!

Back to the accommodation for showers and dinner, we were greeted in the kitchen by yet another serving of chicken and potatoes or rice if you thought the rice from lunch would taste better a second time round. In all fairness though, it was edible.

On this trip were fortunate to have 6 staff members accompanying us. Each night Jody and Ian were the Soignys in charge of tricking our legs into thinking the day's racing never happened. Gerard from Rouleur was our own personal photographer for the week, stalking our every move for an article about soigneurs on tour ( i can't wait the see the pictures he took, they are definitely uncensored) Then there was Steev our mechanic and assistant mechanic Boudewijn and last but not least, Rene our DS.

Day 2 and on paper it definitely looked rough. We had to climb that same set if climbs I had gotten dagged on the previous day 3 times before entering a 20k flatter circuit. My goal for the race was to finish first bunch. Up the climb for the first time, dagged. Chased back on on the decent and caught up through the cars a few k before starting the climbs the 2nd time. 2nd time up the climb, dagged again. This time got into a rhythm and got over the top in the cars and so managed to get back pretty quick. 3rd time up the climb and i somehow hauled my ass over with the first group, thank god. Rode in the bunch and crossed the line at the back of the first group - one happy camper :) Aussie Jayco rider Mel Hoskins took the win with Nettie again taking 2nd spot ahead of Aussie National rider Belinda Goss! Spratty again put in a huge effort to keep the jersey.

It was from the moment we got back to the accommodation that things started to go downhill... Having dinner I instantly felt ill. Attributing it to carbooverlading, I went for my massage and laid in bed thinking nothing of it. It wasn't until 1am that I knew something wasn't right, I rushed to the bathroom and felt sick. I emerged from the toilet and saw a handful of other riders including another one of our own, Gabby Shaw sitting out front. About an hour later the German National DS walked in from the lower level and said 'oh no, not you too' - turns out there was a bunch of us who had felt the wrath of dodgey fish night at the canteen.. I stayed up crippled with a fever and stomach ache until 5am when i crawled my corpse into bed. 6am and the alarm went off for breakfast as we had a double stage and had to leave just after 7am. Needless today, I wasn't feeling it. I felt as though I had a horrible hangover, without the awesome memories from the night before - I got ripped off big time. I hadn't felt that ill for a LONG time.

I couldn't even lift my head from the pillow let alone get myself out of bed and I quickly came to the realization that there was no way I was going to be getting on the bike today. I was filthy to say the least. Having to pull out of a tour is a hard and frustrating enough decision as it is, made even more so when it is due to unnecessary things outside of your control.

Welcome to the perks of lower level women's cycling. The higher ranked teams were put up in hotels whilst us club teams were in these dorms. Riding tours are hard enough as it is and after each stage it is particularly important to put extra emphasis on recovery strategies. Most higher level teams have staff to look after meals, washing and even booking different accommodation when the set accommodation it isn't up to scratch. Unfortunately this isn't the case for most other women club teams. Once we get home from the stage, it's into the open communal showers with hot water if your lucky (don't forget your thongs). Next its time to hand wash your kit in the sink and cross your fingers that it will dry in time for the next stage, otherwise you're riding in a wet chamois - yummy. Down for dinner and if it looks slightly poisonous or unappealing then tough luck, looks like you're going to starve unless there is a supermarket nearby where you can buy pre-made meals. After dinner you have to walk up 5 stories because the rickety lift has finally given way when legs burning, you eventually reach your bedroom and realize you've forgotten your room key on the table downstairs...Finally to bed where getting bedding provided to you is optional, I always bring a pillow and a towel so I don't have to use my backpack and paper towel or a face washer.
Before you know it, it's ridiculous o'clock at night and you shouldve been in bed hours ago but now you're lying awake because a dog is barking or the staff members of another team are all having a grand old time drinking beers - it's 2am and you've got 4hrs until you get up and have to do it all over again.

Our accomodation...

Welcome to pretty much women's cycling. And this was a UCI race!!! But what keeps me coming back year after year is the joy and excitement I get from racing and the people i meet along the way. I know if I continue to work hard my efforts will pay off and I will get the results which will enable me to eventually ride for a professional women's team and make all of this seem worthwhile. In the meantime, I'm trying not to stress too much and enjoy the ride - otherwise I'll never make it out alive :p

A big thank you to all the team at For Viored Brookvex for the support and a special mention to Jody Leach our swanky for sitting up with us and listening to a bunch of girls being sick. If you think being a male swanny for a team of girls would be the best job ever - ask this man. You definitely deserved a medal.

My eyes and ears will never be the same after this trip but i'll leave that all for another post. I'm now sitting in the van on te epic journey back to Belgium. I'm still feeling slightly average but I'm looking forward to getting back home, recovering and getting my body ready for my next race Dwars de Westhoek, a UCI 1.2 in Belgium. I broke my ribs at this race 20km in last year so here's hoping for some better luck!!! Lol...

Lost in translation in the race manual... I LOLed.

Until next time,

Stay safe and take care

Miff xx

Team Astana’s Sweden, Fredrik Kessiakoff, wins solo on top of the Kitzbüheler Horn. He explains "I feel very well since the last training camp at altitude, the legs are there. Yesterday evening I watched the road of the stage and saw the mountainous profile, I felt that it could fit me. The team has worked very well to place me before the mountain, then after a kilometer climb, the attacks started from, I moved in a group, but I decided not to respond to attacks I preferred to keep my own rhythm. The others left me do and I left without looking back, then I crossed the finish line alone in the lead, it was wonderful! "

Indeed, it is a big emotion that invades Fredrik tonight. He joined the very first time a professional road cycling team three years ago. Former Mountain Bike specialist it’s his first victory on the road "I am delighted, I can not believe it, I think tonight I'll sleep with a big smile on the face! ".

Fredrik is now leading the overall standings of the Tour of Austria with a 1min18s on Italian Mauro Santambrogio (BMC), second in this ranking, "I am proud to wear the leader's jersey, and of course we will do everything for defend it! We have a good team here, we are all in good shape, we will give the maximum, but it won’t be so easy”

In 2010 I was watching the Canberra Tour from a lot more comfortable position in the commissaires car as I was still undergoing rehab for various injuries and so was excited to finally be able to race it again in 2011 under the new name of the Loop Canberra Tour. New name and new management meant a new format and for us women, it meant longer distances as well having a 50min crit on the Friday, 114km (it wasn’t 109km-lies) road race Saturday AM and 20km time trial Saturday PM and to finish us all off (literally) an 80km road race on the Sunday with not a meter of flat roads. 4 intermediate sprints and 2 QOMs on the Saturday morning, 2 more sprints and QOMs on the Sunday as well as the very generous time bonuses given on the finish line meant that anyone had a chance to be in the money! I was just out to make sure that ‘anyone’ was the Canberra Cycling Club Team.

The Canberra Cycling Club team on which I was racing on behalf of consisted of Jessie Maclean, who is about to represent the Australian National Team in Europe later this month, Gracie Elvin a ‘mountain biker’ who does more than hold her own on the road and who is also competing in Europe this month and junior rider Alice Wallett, who we are still trying to convince that cycling is better than triathlon :)

It was an epic few days to say the least but I’ve done my best to try and briefly recap all of the stages:

Friday Stage 1: 50min Criterium

There were attacks, people chased them… more attacks and yet more people chase.  Despite it being one of the most aggressive races I’ve been in with some threatening attacks from the Victorian Institute of Sport team (VIS) and a solo effort by team mate Jessie Maclean, from midway into the race it was obvious that it was destined to come down to a sprint finish. I tested out my sprinting legs in the intermediate sprint prime but got a bit excited and started my sprint way to early, getting pipped by Loren Rowney from the Bundaberg Sugar team. I figured that I didn’t have the sprinting form to win a race so I decided that I’d help Jessie Maclean out and shadowed her wheel as we came into the last few laps as she is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to finding a lead out. When the sprint opened up, people were going everywhere on the track. Jessie jumped right and I saw an opening on the left and it was a drag race to the finish with Loren Rowney taking out the win followed by Canberra’s Beck Wiasak and Kendelle Hodges from the VIS. I came in in 4^th whilst Gracie Elvin picked up 6^th and Jessie 7^th. Although we didn’t win, we were in the time bonuses and put ourselves in a comfortable position leading into the road race the next morning. Since Loren Rowney was the overall tour leader and sprint winner, it also meant that I would be wearing the sprint jersey going into tomorrrow’s stage – don’t worry, I had a bit of a laugh too :P

Saturday Stage 2: 114km RR

For all those Canberra riders, you would be all too familiar with the Uriarra-Condor loop. If this wasn’t bad enough, we had to complete it twice and since I was in contention for the sprinters jersey I also had 4 intermediate sprints to contest…It was going to be rough to say the least!

Descending down into Uriarra crossing for the first time, it dawned on me that wearing the sprinter’s jersey (although I have to admit, it did look pretty awesome) was going to be more of a burden than a privilege, it meant that I had to contest the intermediate sprints. Luckily for me I had the best wing woman in the peloton to lead me out for them – Jessie Maclean gave me leadouts that Mark Renshaw himself would be proud of and as a result, I accumulated enough points to hold onto the sprinters jersey for another day. I was happy with how I was feeling on the climbs especially after the sprinting and so decided to try my luck in the QOM points as well, I scored some in the first 2 at the turn around and then again at the top of the 3 sisters where I got into a break of 3 riders until midway back to Stromlo Forrest Park but I soon realised that maybe trying to contest both competitions AND make it to the finish alive was a bit too ambitious and so settled for grovelling up the climbs instead.

Going into the last lap it was pretty much a repeat of the previous one – we contested the sprints, the pace was set up the climbs, Jessie Maclean and Kendelle scared us all sh!tless on the descents and by the time we knew it we were climbing the 3 sisters for the last time. I have to admit, I was very surprised to see that we still had such a large bunch, maybe it is just a reflection of the quality of women riders we have coming through at the moment, but all I knew was I didn’t like it…It is common knowledge that I time trial like a brick through water and so I needed as much advantage going into the afternoon’s stage as possible. Having lost their sprinter on the final climb, the VIS were launching attacks in the last few kilometres to try and get a break but to no avail – coming into Stromlo Forrest Park it was going to be another bunch kick. Gracie rolled up to me and said she was feeling good and it was like music to my ears – by that stage I was feeling like poo and so I told her to stick on my wheel on the crit course and I would follow wheels to get her lined up for the sprint. Coming into the final corner, it was the same sprinting ‘tactics’ as the crit and there was no way that I was going to make the same mistake happen twice, I kicked off the wheel in front later with Gracie still attached and sprinted for home – Grace Sulzberger was just ahead and when I rolled past her a few meters for the line, I realised that in my lead out gone wrong – I’d actually won. I’d freaking won a bike race. And not just any bike race, one in my hometown in front of my friends, family and coach.

What went through my head? Well when I put my arm in the air the first thing I thought was ‘bullsh!t. I didn’t just win a bunch kick...’ Then when Grace Sulzberger rolled up and congratulated me I burst out crying – I’m a girl scout I know but winning a race in your hometown is something you dream of doing and it was great for me to finally repay all the people who have stood by me and helped me out by giving them a win. Gracie held on for 3^rd and picked up more time bonuses which gave her a good advantage leading into the time trial that afternoon.

Saturday PM: 20km TT

The only thing I could’ve hoped for was for the time trial to be tomorrow afternoon, so at least I could have been leader of the Tour for longer than 2hrs… and gotten a pretty slick white leader’s jersey too. But alas, just when I was feeling on top of the world after my win there’s nothing like a time trial to knock you down again. Although I was riding on one of the fastest time trial bikes available, a tiny Cervelo P3 at 48cm and equipped with 650c wheels, I knew I was going to have to ride the time trial of my life if I was going to stay in contention in the tour. I enlisted the help of super coach MaryAnn Simpson and my twin sister Bron to follow me in the car and yell abuse/encouragement at me to help me stay focused on the 20km solo journey ahead. I was feeling strong going down to the turn around and was happy to be able to turn around without unclipping/hitting my foot (those of you who don’t ride tiny bikes won’t appreciate this luxury…) and on the way back had my eyes set on reeling in the few riders who were ahead of me. I was about to turn around and hit my coach and sister when I figured that if I rode faster, they would probably stop yelling – so I did. I rolled home and am happy to say rode the time trial of my life. I’m not known for my extensively long attention span and this was the first time trial where I didn’t think of what I was having for dinner, count, or even sing to myself. Although it wasn’t enough to match the big hitters, I was stoked and ended up finishing in 7th. Beck Wiasak smoked everyone for the win followed by Allison Rice and Jo Hogan rounded out the podium in 3^rd. Gracie Elvin had an awesome ride and held her own for 4^th putting her 3^rd in GC leading into the final stage, a great position for us!

Sunday RR: 80km

Waking up Sunday morning, probably the first thing I said to myself was ‘thank god we don’t have to race 130km like then men’. Today’s stage was ‘only’ 80km but you’d be hard pressed to find more than a meter of flat road anywhere out on course. The GC leading into today meant that the race would surely be aggressive with 1sec margins separating 4 riders and a big 54sec gap to Beck Wiasak who was now tour leader. With the help from my teammates, I had accumulated enough of a lead in the sprinters competition to have secured the jersey however we weren’t going to let anything go to chance and so sent our junior rider Alice Wallett up the road to ensure no one got in some sneaky extra points. Although the pace was on up the significant climbs, the bunch still remained intact for ¾ of the race. Our priority was to keep Gracie up/improve her position on GC and if possible, get myself further up as well but to do this, we had to drop Beck Wiasak and Allison Rice on the climbs. Luckily for us, the other teams had similar ideas and gradually the elastic band was snapping. Going back up Mt Macdonald with less than 20km to home, Grace Sulzberg and Kendelle Hodges attacked over the top of the climb. I was sitting on the other side of the bunch and all I could do was watch them ride away. I knew that if they were still away going down into Uriarra, the race was over.  It took a while for the bunch to respond but then a paceline was formed going down into Uriarra with our work horse Jessie Maclean driving it on the front. I found her wheel going down into Uriarra before she swung off and didn’t realise how much speed she had launched me down there with…that girl is crazy. I have never descended that fast in my life and at one stage I was convinced I was going to die. But I didn’t. I couldn’t let Jess down after she busted her ass for us and so maintained that speed going into the crossing and drove it up the 1^st sister to try and get rid of some driftwood and to hopefully start to close the gap and keep Gracie up there on GC as for the moment, we were sitting in 4^th position. Frustratingly, the bunch soon lost interest in chasing and it wasn’t until about 5km from home that they put in another last ditched effort. I decided it was better to have one of the team finish up on GC as oppose to both of us finishing lower down and so jumped on the front and gave a last ditched effort to bring it back. Once I blew, I knew my race was over. All I could do was the riders who were left roll past and keep my fingers crossed that they would catch Grace Sulzberger and that Gracie could hold her own in the sprint. When I rolled into the park I heard that Grace Sulzberger had held on to win by 30sec and had consequently taken over the lead of the tour. Gracie Elvin got 3^rd in the bunch kick and unfortunately dropped down to 4^th in GC – by only 2 seconds!!!!

Despite the Canberra Cycling Team not finishing on top spot on the podium, I couldn’t have been happier. We haven’t raced together as a team before and I was amazed at how easily we all clicked and how dedicated everyone was to achieve a team result. In addition to Gracie’s 4^th on GC, we held onto the sprinters jersey and so still made a nice profit for the weekend.

Although I only finished up 7^th on GC, given that this time last year I wasn’t able to ride, I was pretty proud of myself. I’ve still got a lot of work to do before I fly out to Europe on the 22^nd of June to start racing with the UK based Viored Team (post on that to come) but I’m happy with how things are going :)

You can read more about the race at VIS stomper Lisa Jacob’s ride happy blog at http://ridehappy.blogspot.com/ and Bundaberg Sugar Rider Amy Bradley’s blog http://aimzbradley.blogspot.com/

Next up is one of my favourite races – the Cootamundra Haycarters Handicap this weekend! It should be a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than Canberra tour and I can’t wait to try and mix it with the big boys :P

Until next time stay safe and happy pedalling,

Miff xx

Monday last week I was lining up alongside hundreds of other Canberrans to participate in the annual Amy’s Ride Canberra in support of the wonderful work the Amy Gillett Foundation does in raising awareness and promoting safety of cyclists on our roads. Having already decided to miss the Oceania Championships in favour of saving money and finding some form, it was a very welcome surprise to be offered the opportunity to be a part of all the excitement and ride on behalf of the infamous Honda Dream Team. To put a long story short, the conversation I had with Rochelle ended with her saying something like “Now, as part of our team contract it means you will have to ride the team Pinarello Dogma 60.1, wear a Lazer helmet, the team Oakley sunglasses and we will provide you with High5 nutrition products… Is that OK?” to which I replied something a tad less appropriate for posting than “Yes.”. Before I knew it I was sent all of my flight details, asked for bike measurements so my bike could be set up perfectly before I got down there and for clothing sizes so the team at Hotdesigns could make my own custom kit...In 2 DAYS!! I was amazed at how quickly and efficiently everything was organised, all that was left for me to do was jump on a plane in peak condition, ready to race!

I arrived in Melbourne Friday morning and was greeted by the other Dream Team riders Sarah Roy and Carly Light and a brand spanking new shiny custom Honda Odysee, loaded with Pinarello Dogma 60.1s…We were definitely going to be travelling the journey to Shepparton in style! Upon arrival, we were greeted at reception by Rochelle and our mechanic and support crew for the weekend Klas. Within 30min he had built all of our bikes and we were all kitted up in our new gear ready to do a recon of the course! I was waiting for someone to pinch me or for something to go wrong… nothing ever happens this smoothly! But when something is managed well and thought through, apparently it does. As we completed the recon as a team, the bike felt like a dream! Equipped with Super Record and top of the line Boras, I didn’t feel as though I was only flying but for all I knew, I could’ve had a motor too!

Back to the hotel and it was time for dinner. Rochelle had prearranged for us to go to an Italian restaurant and so the only decision we had to make was what sort of pasta we were going to eat! Over dinner we talked about tactics (sorry, not revealing anything there ;) ) and once we had devoured our food, Rochelle asked a question that there is only one answer to – who wants dessert??? That’s what I enjoyed most about my short trip away, and admired most about being with the Honda Dream Team. Although we were travelling to one of the biggest races on our calendar, somehow everything seemed relaxed and fun but still remained professional and organised. I don’t know how Rochelle does it, but she does. Being with the team really reminded me why I love racing and being part of a team :)

So then came race day and again all that was left for us to do was to make sure we had what we needed to perform at our best. Breakfast was already prearranged and put in our rooms, and for the race we had a nice fresh supply of High5 nutrition products. On the start line I couldn’t help but feel nervous, I mean I was going to miss this race because I didn’t think I was strong enough but it is amazing what you can do when someone trusts you and is confident in your ability. Out on the road I felt like I was riding like two people! Whether it was because I was determined to see Rochelle take out the title of Oceania Champion, or because I was dedicated to the team, all I knew was that Honda had definitely given me the ‘Power of Dreams!’ ;)

I’ll let you read the other rider’s blogs to find out what exactly happened in the race but in brief, things were pretty controlled until Shara Gillow decided to go up the road on the last lap. She was closely followed by Chloe McConville and Bridie O’Donnell and unfortunately we didn’t have the horsepower to bring them back. However Rochelle showed that she is in great form by winning the bunch kick for 4^th and securing herself some UCI points. Although I am really disappointed that we couldn’t help Rochelle secure her spot on the Worlds team early on in the season, she is currently in awesome form and if this is anything to go by then I have no doubt that she will be stamping her name into the team in the not too distant future!

So that is just a sneak peak for what it was like to be part of the Honda Dream Team. I haven’t given away all of their secrets but let’s just say that the setup is amazing and arguably the most organised team environment I’ve ever been in. See, there is more to the team then just a bunch of good looking chicks ;)

As for me, I’m back in Canberra training, working at the bike shop and the gym and doing uni. The next races I’ve got lined up are a few local NSW races in Bathurst which I’m really looking forward too! I’ve spent the last few months competing in races which either count as selection or have something weighing on them so it will be good to go into a race with no expectations and see what I can pull out!! (Mind you, I can’t say I won’t be going in them to win them ;) )

So until next time

Stay safe and happy pedalling

Miff xx

                                                                                                                Matt white Manager Garmin-Cervelo

“Raaaaabobank! Raaaaaaaaaaaaabobank! Where are you?”

                                                                                Graeme Brown Rabobank attempting to find his team van

‘Standing at the finish line I look down the straight.

The crowd were cheering and along came a figure running; Phil Liggett. He strode across the line and deftly leapt the barrier. The race was nearing its end. This was stage 4, the end of which would be absolutely pivotal to the final outcome of the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under.’

The stage 6 90.5km Adelaide City Council Street Circuit was completed with an average speed of 47.7kph.

When the smoke had cleared, 23 yr old Cam Meyer Garmin-Cervelo would win the overall classification by a margin of just 2 sec to Matt Goss HTC. Ben Swift would catapult into 3^rd place overall.

The day would have 2 intermediate sprints (lap 8 and 12) as well as 2 KOM points’ opportunities (lap 10 and 15); each would play an important role.

For the first time a stage started in the afternoon and I for one was glad of the sleep in. Riders casually biked down from the hotel to the start line for sign on: Less than 1km from your bed to your team village to the start line; only at the Tour Down Under.

Mathematically it was possible for all 5 jerseys to change hands today and that along with the desire to not leave the TDU without results meant that all teams were highly motivated. It showed in the riders faces. What also showed was the drain from the week. Yesterday Rabobank and Uni SA had ridden back from Willunga following the stage hoping to gain some much needed recovery. Recovery was something everyone needed, but for the moment would have to wait.

In the first 5 laps a break formed. Matt Wilson from Garmin-Cervelo set off; a small group of 5 forming.  Stuey O’Grady Leopard-Trek was there as well providing a local feel and it wasn’t long before Luke Durbridge Uni SA bridged the gap.

By lap 7 Stuey realized that HTC presence on the front meant the group would be caught just before the 1^st intermediate sprint so the pedal went to the metal and he went solo over Montefiore Hill.

No avail, he was swept up.

Immediately a counter-attack; Travis Meyer Garmin-Cervelo leapt off the front. HTC pulled him back.

Another counter; Brett Lancaster Garmin-Cervelo – are you detecting a pattern? Again, pulled back at the last moment.

The sprint: Michael Matthews Rabobank wearing the Young Riders Jersey for Cam Meyer crosses first with Goss HTC 2^nd and Andre Greipel OPL 3^rd.  Precious sec, and Goss (now at 6 sec) and Matthews (now at 9 sec) move closer.

The peloton have been lapping at 5:40, now they slow to 5:50 but the next attack comes immediately. Points are up for the KOM in 2 lap’s time on lap 10.

Attacking on the climb Luke Roberts Uni SA takes the 1^st offering, 16 points in the bag taking him to 60. All he has to do is finish the race and the KOM jersey, resting on his shoulders the past 5 days, stays with him. Bruno Pires Leopard-Trek 2^nd, Juan Horrach Katusha 3^rd, Alfredo Balloni Lampre 4^th (nice of them to put in an appearance) and David Tanner Saxobank Sungard 5^th.

Once again things came back together for the 2^nd intermediate sprint on lap 12, but not as quickly as one might think with Rabobank and HTC both working hard; HTC so hard in fact that their train didn’t appear to quite have it and Matt finished 4^th behind a fast finishing Allan Davis Astana 3^rd and Rabobank’s Tom Leezer 2^nd and Jos van Emdem 1^st.

One more KOM to go on lap 15, being a dead rubber really, although that didn’t stop 7 guys attacking, O’Grady again amongst it. Mitch Docker Uni SA led them over the top, Francesco Reda Quickstep 2^nd (nice of them to show up too), Juan Horrach appeared again – strong effort Juan for 3^rd, David Tanner 4^th improved on prior by one place and 5^th was the Danish Road champion Nikki Sorenson Saxobank Sungard (I like this guy and did I mention his favourite Kit in the peloton is that of the Danish national champion?)

Time for the HTC and Rabobank boys to reappear, and reappear they do one last time to chase down these guys and hopefully set up the finish.

This is bike racing. These guys are exhausted but are giving it their all.

4 laps to go 23 sec gap.

3 laps to go 14 sec gap.  Stuey attacks again; Nikki Sorenson with him; Simon Zahner BMC too.

2 laps to go 7 sec gap.

All back together.

Everyone who can, wants the win. Robbie, Andre, Alby they’re all there and the jostling begins.

And as it was in the Cancer Council Classic, Sky appear from no-where with Greg Henderson, the man who fell on the last bend 7 days ago, bringing Ben Swift to a 2^nd stage win. Henderson holds for 2^nd and Goss crosses in 3^rd. He gains 4 sec to put him overall 2 sec behind Cam Meyer. So close.

Ben Swift Sky is ecstatic, praising his teammates. “Throughout the race they supported me. They made sure I was not on the outside or in the wind the whole day. It really was just unbelievable.”

Cam Meyer Garmin-Cervelo is ecstatic but in an understated way, praising his teammates.

“Right from the word go, Matt Wilson was incredible. Then Jack, Travis they all rode so strong and well. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.” He turned 23 last week? This kid’s got some great parents, speaking of which, “I brought them here this year, its’ their first TDU.” Nice. And when he gets to the podium he breaks protocol and brings his team with him. The crowd love it.

At the podium Ben Swift wins the stage. Cam Meyer takes overall and Best Young Rider. Matt Goss is the Sprint King and Luke Roberts has held on for the KOM. Movistar is the best team.

There are a lot of different perspectives provided at the end.

The HTC team area is full of tired people; disappointed expressions with frustration thrown in. They look like they don’t want to be interrupted. I can understand.

(I confess I’m partial to this team having spoken with riders and management this week. In the dictionary under TEAM you’ll find a picture of them.)

Matt Goss HTC holder of the Jayco Sprinters Jersey "Two seconds off it ... Renshaw was doing the perfect job, he has all week, I just went on the opposite side, I didn't want to take the risk of getting shut on the barrier again, it didn't work out unfortunately.”...” The team did everything for me, they were awesome. I can't thank those guys enough.”

"Unfortunately a couple of days of bad luck - a puncture at a bad time, getting caught up in a crash in stage two, maybe it was never meant to happen. It just didn't really work out this year, but I will come back next year, I have a few years left here.” He’s only 24yrs old, a few years left?

"I'm obviously frustrated, I felt really good all week, and I felt really good again today. I tried everything and the team did everything for me, but I just missed it in the end.”

Bernard Eisel HTC lies down on a conveniently provided esky. Horizontal definitely feeling good, but then fans in the crowd want some photos and an autograph. Even exhausted he’s obliging.

Andre Greipel OPL last year’s winner, got taken out by some ‘jostling’. He’s “not a judge so no more comment from him”...“Besides now it’s all over.” A smile gracing his face he walks away.

Matt White Manager Garmin-Cervelo is a happy man and off to the studio for a TV interview. “It was a nail biter!” (For the record my nails are intact but I am sunburnt)

Luke Roberts Uni SA holder of Skoda King of the Mountains “This is my favourite race. I was pretty happy with the whole week” He has ridden smart all week with a team to match; his grin could be the new ambassador of the TDU. He looks younger than Cam, well maybe not Cam, he looks pretty young.

And finally, Hayden Roulsten HTC after riding his heart out “How the F*&k am I going to find my mum in this crowd.”

The race has been great. Not since 2001 have we seen this many stage winners, the first 5 all being different teams, the last day having all jerseys up for grabs. The first UCI Pro Tour race has come and gone, the season has started, and the year is unfolding.

Oh, and along the way someone called Lance left the building.

To quote “SBS 6 billion stories and counting...”

“All stories, even the ones we love, must eventually come to an end and when they do, it's only an opportunity for another story to begin.”

Eric Applebaum Hat Collector Mr Magoriums’ Wonder Emporium

1. You’ve missed this round of the World Cup for the past couple of years. Why is it important that you make the trip this year?

“We're looking to try and score as many points as possible this season to secure qualification for London 2012 as early as we can. This means I'll be attending the World Cups in Melbourne, Cali and Manchester plus the World Championships in Holland. The simplest way for us to qualify GB a place in all three sprint events is through the team sprint, as each country automatically gets a sprint and keirin place when they qualify a team sprint place.”

2. Who do you see as your main threat in Melbourne and in the lead up to London 2012?

“I tend not to worry too much about my rivals as it's a pointless exercise and just ends up as a waste of energy. I try to focus on the things that are within my control, like making sure I train as hard as I can in every single session, staying injury free and peaking at the right time of the season. I expect to have good form at the Melbourne World Cup, having ridden a 9.99s for 200m recently, but anything can happen in the races (as I found out in Poland!) and there will no doubt be a really strong field from the Australians and the rest of the world.  I know I'll have to be firing on all cylinders to make it onto the top step of the podium.”

3. Has your early exit in the Sprint at the European Championships increased the importance of the Melbourne Track World Cup in your Olympic qualification campaign? If so, can you please state why?

“Not really, no. Our Olympic qualification is centred around the Team Sprint, so individual performances in relation to qualifying GB places for London aren't hugely important in that respect. Obviously from a personal perspective I would have liked to have been successful in the sprint at the European Championships, but the reason for that was simply an error of judgement rather than a lack of form. I'm riding the sprint in Cali so look forward to getting my teeth into that event out there, but before then I've got the keirin and team sprint in Melbourne to focus on.”

4. With only one spot available per nation for the sprint and keirin events at London 2012, do you feel more pressure from Jason Kenny as opposed to riders from other nations?

“Again, I try not to let other riders' performances affect me negatively or make me feel pressurised, as there's nothing I can do about them. It's not as if there's only Jason Kenny performing well either; we have Matt Crampton, Dave Daniell, Ross Edgar and others too, so there is always a fight to earn your place on the team. I like it though, as it tends to create a really competitive training environment which I believe helps push us all on. It's always been that way; even years ago when I rode the kilo I had Jason Queally, Craig MacLean and Jamie Staff as team mates and rivals. At the end of the day you want your team mates to be fast as you'll be lining up alongside them in the team sprint.”

5. Psychologically, how important are victories at the Track World Cup over your rivals?

“A win is always good for the confidence, and I'm a big believer that morale is a huge factor in athletic performance. However, victories mid-season can sometimes be misleading because different riders approach their seasons in different ways. For example some riders may peak for a specific World Cup, whilst others may be deliberately training through a race, ie they won't be backing off from training prior to the event to freshen up. Sometimes you can beat a rival at a World Cup but by March they could be a much tougher prospect. So I never read too much into my rivals performances at World Cups. My approach is to use the World Cups as tests of form and I always go into them with realistic expectations based on how my training has been going at that time.”

6. Do you see this as the Commonwealth Games clash with the Australians that never happened?

“Not really, I think the Commonwealth Games are a unique one-off event which only happen once every four years, and you can't really replicate them. I was really disappointed not to be in Delhi to represent Scotland but I've accepted that and put it to bed. The Aussie team out there looked hugely impressive as always and are certainly going well at the moment. I expect them to be a formidable force in Melbourne and beyond, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and I'm sure the rest of the British team are too.”

By Miffy Galloway

Both: McDonaugh Blake Witness is a new team this year, how has this benefited you and how is the team helping you to achieve your sporting goals?

Adam and Al: The Mcdonagh Blake- Witness Cycling Team has benefited us in several ways. It has allowed us to really grow and learn as riders and it offers a supportive culture where developing us as riders is the key focus. The team is the initiative of Trent Wilson, a former pro, who runs and manages the team. Having this aspect to the team is really helping us achieve our goals, with Trent’s experience and knowledge acting as a huge advantage in races and training.


Both: Your next race coming up is the Geelong Tour and in the team you have a new signing in Chris Jongeward who has been vocally targeting this race, how will this affect the teams strategies going into the event? And what do you see your role in the event being?

Adam and Al: Having Chris on board for Tour of Geelong will be a huge advantage for the team. Not only is he one of the strongest riders around, he will be able to offer his race experience and knowledge to the younger riders in the team. We are both aiming to maintain a strong GC position in addition to helping out Chris to achieve his goals, which will hopefully see him placed highly overall. We also have Dale Scarfe, who has shown that he is in form with his sprint win in Stage 5 of the Tour of Gippsland.

Adam: you have a twin brother Michael Phelan who is currently riding for the Drapac Porsche team, what has it been like growing up in cycling together and is there ever a bit of sibling rivalry?

Adam: Growing up with Michael has been really beneficial. It has meant that I have always had someone to train with and it has allowed me to have support throughout my whole cycling life. There are very few people who would be in the same situation, so it acts as a huge mental and physical advantage. Sibling rivalry has also played a major part. We are both very competitive people in all aspects of life and don’t like being beaten by each other, which is great for training because even then we try and outdo each other!

Both: You are both currently studying at the AustralianNationalUniversity, and have part time jobs. How do you manage to balance these other commitments with your cycling?

Adam and Al:  It sometimes becomes a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to do really well in all areas and it can become a bit of a juggling act, but if you keep yourself organized and on top of things you generally can get through it O.K.

Both: what are 2 things you can’t live without?
Adam and Al:

- Banana Bread
- Coffee (in that order)

Both : What is your idea of the perfect recovery ride?

Adam and Al: Meeting with all the Canberra boys and rolling down to Velo Republic Café, in Kingston and having a long (often with several brews) stop then pedaling around the lake and cruising home.

Both: And the ride : brew stop ratio?
Adam and Al: Let’s just say sometimes we forget we’re supposed to be training.

Alastair: You represented Australia in the Junior World Championships in 2008 in South Africa and were fortunate enough to experience European racing in the lead-up to the event. How does the European standard of racing compare to that in Australia? And after having a taste of it, are you hungry to go back?

Al: The racing over there is definitely different. The talent we have in Australia easily matches and in many cases exceeds the level of riders over there, but there is a lot more depth of talent in Europe. Cycling is only really just taking off in Australia, but it won’t be long till the depth here is equal to that in Europe. Obviously I only raced in the junior ranks over there, so I can’t comment on what the racing is like now, but the junior racing is a good indicator. I’m definitely hungry to get back over there. I prefer the race settings in Europe and my goal is to make a living racing in Europe.

Both: In Canberra, you are fortunate enough to be able to train with arguably some of the strongest riders in Australia, with many of them riding for domestic teams. How does this help you?

Adam:  I couldn’t think of better place to train then Canberra. I don’t think you can find another place where there is such a large group of strong riders that all train together and push each other to go harder. Some of the morning rides (notably the notorious Hour of Power) I find harder than a lot of races I do.

Al: The bunch of riders that we have in Canberra is so beneficial both physically and mentally. It’s extremely rare that I ever have to train by myself and these guys are my best friends as well as training partners. This means that motivation to train harder is always strong and I have fun every day on the bike just hanging out with my friends.

Both: What is your favourite ride in Canberra and why?

Adam and Al: We both really like the Corin Dam ride. The ride has some really good climbs but also offers some really cool scenery, especially out at the dam itself. On nice summer’s day with a good group, you can hardly get better.

Both: What has been the best advice anyone has ever given to you?

Adam: To never give up, no matter what life throws at you. Just keep in mind what you want to achieve and give absolutely everything you got to achieve it.

Al: If you do what you love and have fun with it, you will never have to work a day in your life

Both: Training in Canberra during the winter months is everything but enjoyable, how do you stay motivated?

Adam and Al: Canberra’s winter is definitely not a fun experience, and it is really hard to keep motivated especially when you wake up and the temperature reads -8. But having that large group of riders, who are also our best friends, all going out and doing it with you helps to motivate you to get out there in the cold and get the training done.



Both: What is your most memorable sporting moment to date?

Adam: Probably winning the Canberra Junior Tour. It was my home tour and I ended up taking out the GC, KOM, and first time trial, finishing second in the other 3 stages.

Al: I’d have to say being selected to represent Australia at the Junior World Championships in South Africa, and the racing that we did in Europe in the lead-up.

Both: Where do you hope to see yourselves in 5 years?

Adam: Hopefully getting to ride in Europe for a living, where my bike is my job.

Al: I’d hope to be riding for a ProTour team ideally, but in cycling you never know where you could end up.

Both: And lastly you are both very lucky to be surrounded by a great support crew – is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Adam and Al: We have both had a huge amount of support from the same group of people, and without these people we would not have been able to get where we are today. So big thanks has to go to our families, MaryAnn and Brian Simpson begin_of_the_skype_highlightingend_of_the_skype_highlighting, The Bike Shed Canberra, Trent Wilson (and Mcdonagh Blake- Witness), VeloRepublic and the whole Canberra cycling community. Thanks!

Follow the guys during their season with McDonagh Blake - Witness at www.adamphelan.tk http://twitter.com/adamphelan